Polar Bear Facts

Blog

  • Do Killer Whales Eat Polar Bears?

    Do Killer Whales Eat Polar Bears?

    Like polar bears killer whales (orcas) are also apex predators. They are called the wolves of the sea primarily because orcas hunt in packs. However killer whales do not eat polar bears. Sea turtles, fish, cephalopods, and sea birds form the essential components of killer whale’s diet.

    Do Killer Whales Eat Polar Bears?

    • Orcas are able to reach the maximum speed of 25 miles per hour which qualify them as one of the fastest marine mammals. At this speed they feed on medium-sized preys to as large as minke whales. Polar bears can never become the diet of orcas but certain unreported incidents in the past showed that orcas do kill polar bears.
    • Still scientists do not recognize the fact of polar bears getting killed by orcas because both marine mammals seem to share many behavioral traits. Besides, none of them has any natural predator in the arctic.
    • The polar bear cubs can fall prey to the killer whales (when their mother is not around) which made biologists to believe that orcas eat polar bears. Apart from that polar bears never become the regular part of the killer whale’s diet.
    • Killer whales must eat polar bears at regular intervals (which they don’t!) just like they eat fish or turtles; only in this way white bears can become the orca’s diet. Merely one or two incidents doesn’t make either of them predator of the other. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that killer whales do not eat polar bears.

    Do Killer Whales Eat Polar Bears? – Video

  • Difference Between Male and Female Polar Bears

    Difference Between Male and Female Polar Bears

    Male and female polar bears not only differ in their sizes but also somewhat in behavioral traits. Polar bears are the most sexually dimorphic mammals that is to say there is a significant and obvious difference in their sizes as well as in weight.

    Male polar bears are nearly twice the size of female bears. The typical weight of an adult male is about 450 kg (992 lb) in contrast to female’s weight of 150 – 250 kg (331–551 lb). Clearly there is a substantial difference in weights. Similarly the female is also smaller in body length as compared to males.

    Difference Between Male and Female Polar Bears

    Mature males are far more aggressive than adult females. Cannibalism is quite common in male bears as they often engage in killing and sometimes eating cubs that belong to the other social unit.

    Females are extremely devoted mothers whereas males take no part in raising cubs. The female bears take the responsibility not only for rearing cubs but also to protect them against predators. Many a times it is seen that a female in a desperate attempt to relocate to a new dens, carrying cubs in her mouth. The devotion of a female bear is so much so that she can even rear a cub that doesn’t originally belong to her family.

    Males neither defend their social unit nor do possess any unusual skills as a father. They just remain with female for as long as two weeks after which they leave once for all.

    Difference Between Male and Female Polar Bears – Video

  • Are Polar Bears Endangered? | Why are Polar Bears Endangered?

    Are Polar Bears Endangered? | Why are Polar Bears Endangered?

    No, polar bears are not endangered they are listed as Vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List. However it is more likely than not to occur that white bears fall into the category of endangerment. Scientists claim that polar bears face high risk of endangerment in the next 20 years or so possibly due to rapid climate change, human hunting, and scarcity of food. On the contrary recent findings show that the overall global population of polar bears has been stable. It clearly suggests the divided opinion of scientists on polar bear status.

    Are Polar Bears Endangered?

    Endangered species are those species that are likely to become extinct in the next few decades if the appropriate conservation efforts are not made. The status is defined by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Endangered species are listed on the Red List of IUCN.

    Why are Polar Bears not Endangered?

    Studies show that there is a slightest chance of polar bears getting extinct—not at least in the next 20 years. Thus they are not endangered. While many factors such as excessive hunting, harvesting, and climate change contribute towards polar bears future endangerment still the overall population is more than 20,000. The maximum population size is 25,000 which can qualify polar bears as vulnerable species but certainly not endangered animals.

    Why are Polar Bears going to be Endangered in 2030?

    Factors such as these are likely to change the polar bear’s conservation status in near future. We can probably imagine that polar bear may face rapid decline in her population given the climate continues to change; the habitat continues to be threatened, and the indigenous people continue to hunt polar bears.

    Read More: Are Polar Bears going Extinct?

    Climate Change/Global Warming

    The overall warming of the earth’s surface temperature has caused the Arctic sea ice to melt. As it turns out summers are longer than winter and bears are forced to stay on land more than ever. Unlike before, polar bears must learn to hunt land mammals which might be a tough ask since polar bears are marine mammals. They are adept to spend so much time in water; playing and hunting seals. Currently the survival on land is turning into a major challenge. If the global warming goes on with time then it can pose serious threats to the polar bear’s existence.

    Indigenous People Hunting

    The native people in Canada and Greenland are allowed to hunt polar bears because their living depends on it. They eat meat and they sell polar bear’s skin and coat in the village market. However villagers are not permitted to deal commercially outside the village. The legal hunting by the locals is going to hit the polar bears’ population in the years to come.

    Are Polar Bears Endangered? – Video

  • Can Polar Bears Jump? – How High Can a Polar Bear Jump?

    Can Polar Bears Jump? – How High Can a Polar Bear Jump?

    Polar bears do not jump in a way other land predators do. Tigers have got the amazing ability to jump right from the spot they’re standing. Siberian tigers can jump up to 12 feet high vertically. Their hind limbs are strong enough to push their body upwards and lift heavy weight. Polar bears on the other hand have massive stocky body and their back is relatively high as compared to the front. The physical built of a polar bear makes her difficult to jump vertical upwards.

    Polar bears can nevertheless jump horizontally which is often seen when they move from one ice floe to the other. However they cannot jump while running. The unorthodox physic of bear doesn’t seem to allow her to jump during running. But they can and they do (often) stand on their hind legs especially during play-fight. Ice bears also jump when they are about to dive into the water. An act of jumping always takes place in a forward horizontal direction in polar bears.

    Can Polar Bears Jump? – Video